Pierre Daniel Huet, Traitté de l’origine des romans (1670)
- Pierre Daniel Huet, Treatise of Romances, 1670, first English translation (1672) pdf
- Pierre Daniel Huet, History of Romances, 1670, translated by Stephen Lewis (1715) pdf
i
'THERE is not any Speculation, which affords a more agreeable Pleasure to the Mind, than that of beholding from what Obscure and Mean Beginnings, the most Polite and Entertaining Arts have
ii
risen to be the Admiration and Delight of Mankind. To pursue them up to the most abstruse Fountains, and then to view by what Steps they arise to Perfection; does not only excite an Amazement at their Increase; but an Impatient Desire of Inventing some New Subject, to be improv'd and advanc'd by Posterity.
The first Occasion of introducing ROMANCE into the World, was, without Dispute to mollify the Rigour of Precepts, by the Allurements of Example. Where the Mind can't be subdued into Virtue, by Reason and Philosophy; nothing can
iii
influence it more, than to present to it the Success and Felicity, which Crowns the Pursuit of what's Great and Honourable.
The beginning of romances is to be searched for in a far distant past and of interest to “the Curious in Antiquity”
iv
Upon this Account, They are very much indebted to the Labour and Penetration of Huetius; who has, with great Judgement, traced the Subject he undertook to Illustrate, till he found it in
v
its Infancy, involved in the Umbrage of Fable, and perplexed in the Folds of Mystery and Riddle.
Especially since Romance has of late convey'd it self very far into the Esteem of this Nation, and is become the Principal Diversion of the Retirement of People of all Conditions. [p.v]
